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Otley council chief hails year of 'good progress'

OTLEY has been making 'good progress' across all four of the Town Council's key areas.

That was the message Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) delivered when he presented the council's annual report at its AGM this week.

He told the gathered residents and councillors at The Bridge Church that there had been "another year of sustained effort and progress".

The Liberal Democrat controlled council has made four topics - trade and tourism, the environment, health and wellbeing, and council governance - its focus since being elected in 2015.

Cllr Georgeson listed work that had been done in each of those areas, including providing support for the Chippendale 300 celebrations and the Wharfedale Greenway project, plus a successful move to cut the number of town councillors from next May.

The council is also poised to financially support two projects through its Investing in Otley Fund.

Cllr Georgeson said: "Two significant applications are now in the pipeline, both of which have received ‘in principle’ support from the council and are now moving to the detailed application stage.

"Prince Henry's Grammar School and Sport Chevin are planning a multi-sports, all weather pitch available for Otley’s sports clubs and community groups, and Otley Action for Older People plan to refurbish the Old People's Welfare Centre as an older people's hub.

"The combined potential cost of these projects represents a £1 million investment in our community of which around one-third may come from the council - loan repayments for which have already been provided for as we reported last year.

"We look forward to seeing progress on these developments this year."

Wrapping up his report by thanking the council staff and councillors, he added: "It’s a job we all do with great love for the place we live and in good faith alongside you. our friends and neighbours.

"We try our best to work in partnership and look to others to reciprocate - and look forward to more of this in the year that comes."

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